682-P: The Diabetes Management Questionnaire (DMQ) Is a Valid Measure of Self-Management in Emerging Adults (EAs) with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Aim: EAs with T1D may benefit from innovative diabetes treatments, given their challenges in meeting glycemic targets. Thus, a measure of self-management responsive to newer regimens is important for this population. In this study, performance of the DMQ, initially validated in 8-18 year olds, was evaluated in EAs.

Methods: EAs (ages 18-25) with T1D completed an online study, providing demographic and diabetes management data along with survey responses. Surveys included DMQ, RISQ (measure of self-care readiness), and PAID-EA (measure of diabetes distress in EAs). The 20-item DMQ assesses self-care over the past month with response options on a 5-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0-100; higher scores indicate greater self-management. We assessed internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, item-to-total correlations) and concurrent validity of the DMQ.

Results: The sample of 141 EAs (30% male, 61% female, 9% trans/non-binary) had mean age 21.5 ± 2.2 years and T1D duration 12.2 ± 5.4 years; 84% were non-Hispanic white and 57% were students. Self-reported A1c was 7.3 ± 0.9%; 93% used CGM, 79% used a pump, and 68% used AID. DMQ Cronbach’s α was 0.86. Item-to-total correlations were all >0.2 aside from 1 item regarding ketone monitoring. DMQ scores were inversely correlated with A1c (r=-.26, p<.01), and diabetes distress (PAID-EA, r=-.26, p<.01), and positively correlated with CGM TIR (r=.22, p=.02) and self-care readiness (RISQ, r=.36, p<.01). DMQ did not correlate with age (p=.27) or T1D duration (p=.19). DMQ-EA scores did not differ by pump use (p=.99) or gender (p=.05), but scores were higher among CGM users than non-users (74 vs. 60, p<.01).

Conclusion: The DMQ, completed in <5 minutes, demonstrated strong psychometric properties as a measure of self-care in EAs with T1D. An up-to-date adherence survey that performs well in emerging adults using advanced diabetes technologies offers measurement opportunities in research and clinical settings.